Learning Portfolio Elements

Once stuents have identified the purpose of their portfolio, the type of learning portfolio (ePortfolio), and their audience, they can start to think about what to include.

The components of a learning portfolio are the learning artifacts, critical reflections to "curate" artifacts, and web-based platform used to build the portfolio.

Learning Artifacts

Learning artifacts are documents or media files that are electronic evidence of students learning and growth over time. Used thoughtfully, artifacts can demonstrate skills, abilities, experiences, or competency. It also is a way for students to reflect who they are personally, academically, and professionally.

Critical Reflection

Another important aspect of a learning portfolio is critical reflection. For each learning artifact selected it is important students "curate" those items by reflecting on their experiences. Critical reflection goes beyond explaining what the experiences was to talking about why the experience was important, making connections between experiences, and articulating new learning students took away from the experience.

Platforms

Loyola University Chicago has contracted with Taskstream to be the university's official electronic portfolio (ePortfolio) vendor. Two of Taskstream's primary functionalities Loyola uses include:

1) Building electronic learning portfolios through the web folio feature of Taskstream

2) Assessing student learning outcomes and keeping an online record of student learning artifacts through the Direct Response Folios (DRFs) feature of Taskstream.

Faculty and students can contact the Learning Portfolio Program Manager to determine the best fit for your course or outcome.